Numbers drawing machine

ABSTRACT

Machine for conducting a random drawing comprising at least one object randomly displaceable in space. A sensor is adapted to be impacted by the at least one object. At least two electric signals are generated by the machine. At least one of the at least two electric signals is a cyclically generated signal. At least another of the two electric signals is generated when the at least one object impacts the sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage Application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/FR98/01498, filed Jul. 10, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a machine for drawing numbers, of thetype used, for example, for drawing lottery numbers.

2. Discussion of Background Information

European Patent Nos. 0 348 281 and 0 557 193 disclose machines fordrawing planar figures or number balls. Such known machines are composedof an enclosure in which numbered balls, for example, are placed andmixed, the draw consisting of extracting a certain number of balls oneby one.

These machines are very reliable and the completely random character ofthe draw is beyond doubt. However, the need to mechanically extract theobjects from the mixing enclosure is such that the draw is relativelyslow. Similarly, a certain amount of time is necessary to perform asecond draw, because the objects to be drawn must be reintroduced intothe mixing enclosure, after verifying that all of the objects likely tobe drawn are indeed introduced into the enclosure. This requires thepresence of a person whose word cannot be questioned, such as a bailiff,for example, before and during the draw.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a machine for conducting a random drawingcomprising at least one object randomly displaceable in space. A sensoris adapted to be impacted by the at least one object. At least twoelectric signals are generated by the machine. At least one of the atleast two electric signals is a cyclically generated signal. At leastanother of the two electric signals is generated when the at least oneobject impacts the sensor.

The machine may further comprise at least one display, wherein acoincidence of the at least two signals is used for maintaining in apredetermined state of the at least one display. The at least onedisplay may be of an object to be drawn. The at least one display maycomprise at least one light source adapted to be switched on or switchedoff according to a predefined rhythm. The at least one display maycomprise a plurality of displays. Each of the displays may comprise atleast one light source adapted to be switched on or switched offaccording to a predefined rhythm.

The machine may further comprise a transparent enclosure for containingthe at least one object, and a current of air for agitating the at leastone object within the transparent enclosure. The at least one object maybe a ball and a random signal may be generated when the ball agitated bythe current of air impacts the sensor.

The machine may further comprise a clock, a counter connected to theclock, and a decoder connected to the counter. At least one output ofthe decoder may be communicated to the at least one display. At leastone output of the decoder may be communicated to the at least onedisplay via one of a memory circuit and an OR-circuit.

The machine may further comprise at least one bus for allowing a signalemitted by the sensor to be input to at least one memory circuit. Themachine may further comprise at least one bus for allowing a signalemitted by the sensor to be input into a validation input of at leastone memory circuit, wherein the signal emitted by the sensor isefficient only during a rising edge. The machine may further comprise asystem for remotely transmitting a result of the drawing.

The invention also provides for a machine for conducting a randomdrawing comprising at least one display, a transparent enclosuredefining a space, at least one object randomly displaceable in thespace, a sensor adapted to be impacted by the at least one object, amechanism for agitating the at least one object, a clock connected to acounter, the counter communicating with at least one decoder, whereinthe sensor is adapted to generate a random signal by impact between theat least one object and the sensor.

The invention further provides for a machine for conducting a randomdrawing comprising a plurality of displays. A transparent enclosure isprovided for defining a space. A plurality of objects are randomlydisplaceable in the space. A sensor is adapted to be impacted by theobjects. A mechanism for agitating the objects is included. A clock isconnected to a counter. The counter communicates with at least onedecoder. The sensor is adapted to generate a random signal by impactbetween the at least one object and the sensor. Each display is adaptedto be switched on and off according to at least one of a defined and anadjustable rhythm. At least one of the displays is adapted to remainswitched on when the switching on of one of the displays coincides withthe random signal.

The machine according to the present invention overcomes thesedrawbacks, and is characterized in that the draw is the result of thecoincidence, in time, of two electric signals, one of which iscyclically generated, whereas the other is generated during impact witha sensor of an object whose displacement in space is completely random,the coincidence phenomenon having the effect of maintaining in anexcited state a display which materializes the object to be drawn.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the machinecomprises a plurality of displays each of which is in the form of a boxenclosing a light source adapted to be switched on or switched offaccording to a predefined rhythm.

If a randomly generated signal is applied to one of the displays, whenthe display is turned on, the corresponding light source remainsswitched on and, if the display represents the number “20,” this numberis drawn.

To create the random signal, one can use a device similar to thatdescribed in the European Patent No. 0 348 281, i.e., one whichcomprises an enclosure in which balls are agitated by a current of air,the device being completed by a sensor adapted to emit a signal when itis hit by a ball.

Other devices can be used for the same purpose. Thus, a device of the“Pachinko” type can be used, in which a heavy ball falls throughobstacles that modify its trajectory.

The machine according to the present invention can used in implementinga game of skills. Thus, a device can be designed, according to which aplayer can initiate a signal to be emitted by a sensor in order toattempt to make his action coincide with the lighting cycle of a displaymaterializing a prize to win.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from the descriptionthat follows, with reference to the drawings, which are provided by wayof non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention andwherein:

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the machine for drawing; and

FIG. 2 shows a diagram in order to explain the functioning of themachine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, and according to one embodiment of thepresent invention, the machine comprises a plurality of displays 1 whosestate is adapted to change and each of which represents a symbol, anumber, etc.

Each display is biased one after the other according to a defined andadjustable rhythm. When the state of a display changes and, at thismoment, an originally random control signal is applied thereto, itremains in this state.

Thus, if each display comprises a light source, the spectators see theboxes being switched on and off one after the other until an originallyrandom control signal coincides with the switching on of one of thedisplays. At this moment, the corresponding display remains switched onand, for example, represents a number. In this case, the draw iscompleted when a certain number of displays have been switched on.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the random signalis generated by the collision of at least one ball 2 with sensor 3. Theballs 2 and the sensor 3 are arranged in a transparent enclosure 4comprising, at its lower portion, a mechanism 5 for agitating the balls2. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 1, the displays 1 are arranged alongan arc of a circle surrounding an enclosure 4. The arc of the circle canextend over 360°.

Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 6 schematically defines the lightsources of displays 1.

To cyclically switch on and switch off sources 6, clock 7 connected tocounter 8 and decoder 9 is used. The decoder 9 has as many outputs 10 asthe device has displays 1. Each output 10 is connected to thecorresponding lamp through memory 11 and OR-circuit 12 on which theoutput of the corresponding memory converges.

Sensor 3, which behaves like a switch, makes it possible to apply, viabus 13, a control signal at validation input 14 of all the memories whenit is hit by ball 2, for example.

When the balls 2 are not agitated, the sensor 3 cannot be excited, andthe light sources 6 are switched on for a certain time, then areswitched off after one another, the time for switching on and offdepending only on the setting of the clock 7. Preferably, the frequencyof change in the state of the displays 1 is sufficiently high so thatthe eye of the spectator cannot memorize the position of the exciteddisplay.

When the balls 2 are agitated, the sensor 3 is excited as soon as it ishit by a ball. Such an event is completely unpredictable.

At this moment, a control signal is present at the validation input ofall the memories, however, only the memory that finds the signal at itsinput (input of the decoder 9) is affected and, via its output, controlsthe change of state of the corresponding display. In the example shown,the light source connected to the aforementioned memory thereforeremains switched on and, by this state, materializes the drawing of anumber, for example.

The originally random signal that is applied to bus 13 is efficient onlyon a rising edge of the signal. When the rising edge has been recordedby a memory, the latter is maintained, and a new change in the state ofthe corresponding display is not possible.

Upon completion of the draw, a canceling signal is sent to the memoriesby bus 15.

When the output signal of a memory is being established, circuit 16sends a fleeting information, via bus 17, to a pulse counter (notshown). Each pulse therefore corresponds to a display that has changedits state and that display maintains that state to the drawing of anumber or object. When the number of numbers or objects to be drawn isreached, the machine is stopped. The stopping of the machine is withinthe skill of the art.

The machine that has just been described makes it possible to perform adraw at a predetermined location, but in certain cases, it is necessaryto remotely transmit this information to a location, in tobacco shops,for example, where it can be checked by the public.

According to the present invention, a mechanism is provided for remotelytransmitting the result of the drawing.

To this end, counter 8 is connected by any appropriate transmittingmechanism to local decoders (not shown but similar to decoder 9) viabuses 18. Each local decoder restores the information which the decoderreceives when it is biased by an external signal.

The aforementioned external signal comes from bus 19 to which isconnected the output of AND-circuit 20, one input of which receives theinput signal of memory 11, and the other input receives the outputsignal of the memory.

If two signals are present at the same time at the input of circuit 20,it means that the corresponding light source 6 is switched onpermanently, and a signal is sent to the local display by bus 19. Thisinformation has the effect of locally validating the information that ispresent, at the same time, on bus 18. For example, if lamp 6 acorresponding to number “18,” in the example shown, is switched onpermanently, all of the local displays show the same information.

The present invention also provides the implementation of a controlmechanism. Such a mechanism can reside in a video camera that films theresult of the drawing at the central location and returns theinformation to local locations, or vise versa, for comparison.

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine for conducting a random drawingcomprising: at least one object randomly displaceable in space; a sensoradapted to be impacted by the at least one object; at least two electricsignals being generated by the machine; at least one of the at least twoelectric signals being a cyclically generated signal; and at leastanother of the two electric signals being generated when the at leastone object is impacts the sensor wherein a coincidence of the at leasttwo signals is used for maintaining the at least one display in apredetermined state.
 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the at least onedisplay is of an object to be drawn.
 3. The machine of claim 1, whereinthe at least one display comprises at least one light source adapted tobe switched on or switched off according to a predefined rhythm.
 4. Themachine of claim 1, wherein the at least one display comprises aplurality of displays.
 5. The machine of claim 4, wherein each of thedisplays comprises at least one light source adapted to be switched onor switched off according to a predefined rhythm.
 6. The machine ofclaim 1, further comprising: a transparent enclosure for containing theat least one object; and a current of air for agitating the at least oneobject within the transparent enclosure.
 7. The machine of claim 6,wherein the at least one object is a ball and wherein a random signal isgenerated when the ball agitated by the current of air impacts thesensor.
 8. The machine of claim 1, further comprising: a clock; acounter connected to the clock; and a decoder connected to the counter.9. The machine of claim 8, wherein at least one output of the decoder iscommunicated to at least one display.
 10. The machine of claim 8,wherein at least one output of the decoder is communicated to at leastone display via one of a memory circuit and an OR-circuit.
 11. Themachine of claim 8, further comprising at least one bus for allowing asignal emitted by the sensor to be input to at least one memory circuit.12. The machine of claim 8, further comprising at least one bus forallowing a signal emitted by the sensor to be input into a validationinput of at least one memory circuit, wherein the signal emitted by thesensor is efficient only during a rising edge.
 13. The machine of claim7, further comprising a system for remotely transmitting a result of thedrawing.
 14. A machine for conducting a random drawing comprising: atleast one display; a transparent enclosure defining a space; at leastone object randomly displaceable in the space; a sensor adapted to beimpacted by the at least one object; a mechanism for agitating the atleast one object; a clock connected to a counter; the countercommunicating with at least one decoder, wherein the sensor is adaptedto generate a random signal by impact between the at least one objectand the sensor wherein at least one output of the decoder iscommunicated to the at least one display and the coincidence of therandom signal and the at least one output produce a random outcome. 15.A machine for conducting a random drawing comprising: a plurality ofdisplays; a transparent enclosure defining a space; a plurality ofobjects randomly displaceable in the space; a sensor adapted to beimpacted by the objects; a mechanism for agitating the objects; a clockconnected to a counter; the counter communicating with at least onedecoder, the sensor being adapted to generate a random signal by impactbetween the at least one object and the sensor; each display beingadapted to be switched on and off according to at least one of a definedand an adjustable rhythm; wherein at least one of the displays isadapted to remain switched on when the switching on of one of thedisplays coincides with the random signal.
 16. A machine for conductinga random drawing comprising: at least one object randomly displaceablein space; an impact sensor which is impacted by the at least one object;first and second electric signals; the first electric signal being acyclically generated signal; the second electric signal being generatedwhen the at least one object impacts the impact sensor; at least onedisplay which can change states; one state of the at least one displaybeing caused by the first electrical signal; and another state of the atleast one display being caused by both the first and second electricalsignals coinciding.